Supreme Court to Direct CBSE to Amend APAAR Consent Form Across India
The Supreme Court of India has said it will direct the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to implement nationwide changes to the APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) ID consent process. The proposed directions require CBSE to adopt safeguards laid down by the Orissa High Court, including revising the model consent form to explicitly allow parents to refuse consent or opt out of the APAAR scheme.
The Court also indicated that it will ask CBSE to examine concerns related to the collection, storage, processing, and protection of students' personal data, particularly because APAAR IDs are linked to Aadhaar-based records.
Supreme Court Emphasizes Voluntary Consent
In the judgment, the Supreme Court pointed out that the process of enrollment for the APAAR system should be voluntary and there should be sufficient opportunity given to the parents to provide consent to their child’s data being used for the generation of APAAR ID.
The Court also noted that it would ask the CBSE to implement the Orissa High Court’s suggestions. The Court said that the Union government had accepted the decision of Orissa High Court without any challenge.
What Changes Are Expected?
Under the proposed nationwide changes, the revised APAAR consent form is expected to:
- Clearly provide an opt-out or refusal option for parents.
- Ensure consent is free, informed, and voluntary.
- Clarify that students cannot be denied educational services for choosing not to participate.
- Improve transparency regarding the use of student data.
These revisions are intended to strengthen parental choice and protect children’s privacy.
Why APAAR Has Been Under Scrutiny
The APAAR initiative was introduced under the “One Nation, One Student ID” vision to create a lifelong digital academic identity for every learner. The system aims to maintain a centralized record of:
- Academic achievements
- Examination results
- Certificates
- Credits and qualifications
- Educational progression across institutions
However, concerns have been raised by parents and privacy advocates over:
- Aadhaar linkage
- Data protection and security
- Whether consent was genuinely voluntary
- How student information may be stored and shared
Background of the Orissa High Court Ruling
The proposed order by the Supreme Court is in accordance with the 2025 ruling of the Orissa High Court, as per which the court said that consent for the enrollment in APAAR should be valid and voluntar.
The court ordered authorities to amend the consent papers ensuring that the parents are informed about their right to not participate or withdraw their consent anytime they want. It also said that no child can be barred from getting educated because of refusal to enroll in the APAAR.
What This Means for Schools and Parents
If implemented nationwide, the revised consent process will require schools affiliated with CBSE to use updated forms that clearly explain parents’ choices.
Parents should:
- Read the revised consent form carefully.
- Understand how their child’s data will be used.
- Know that participation is intended to remain voluntary.
- Seek clarification from schools if they have questions about APAAR registration.
Schools, meanwhile, will need to follow any revised CBSE guidelines once the updated consent forms are issued.
Looking Ahead
The Supreme Court order instructing the CBSE to modify its APAAR consent form throughout the country is a significant stride toward enhancing consent provisions for parents and improving the safeguard of students' data. The Supreme Court has tried to strike a balance between the benefits of the universal academic registry and the safety of children's data by mandating an unequivocal option of opting out, as well. The comprehensive ruling delivered by the Supreme Court is expected to act as a guideline for implementing the safeguard in CBSE-affiliated educational institutions and promoting transparency and uniformity in the APAAR ID enrollment process.
